They did airborne training and jumped off the 34 foot jump tower. Smith is such a badass. I wouldn't have jumped off a 4 foot tower, lol. Also, thanks for the shout out to Columbus Smitty, glad we're considered "a part of the fan base" hahaha. It's a nice change up from arguing about the draft. http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/05/07/1568623/appropriate-time-for-us-to-say.htmlMaj. Gen. Robert Brown told a live sports talk radio show he is proud of the military and Navy SEALs who took out top al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden on Sunday.

“The Army is the greatest team in the world,” said Brown, commander of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning. “What the SEALs accomplished is part of a big military team. We all are just proud.”

Brown and former NFL athletes and coaches were guests on the 1 p.m. Sports Byline USA, hosted by Ron Barr at the Sand Hill Recreation Center. The national talk show was broadcast to more than 500 American Forces Radio Network stations worldwide.0506

Sports Byline host Ron Barr talks to a group of Airborne soldiers at Eubanks field on Fort Benning Friday.

The Navy SEALs raid on the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, ended an almost decade search for bin Laden since the 9/11 terrorists attacks.

Brown said the men and women who serve in the military are less than 1 percent of the population. Pointing to the soldiers gathered in the recreation center, the general said they are ready to do whatever the country asks them.

Barr has been acquainted with Brown since he invited him to Iraq to do a radio show in 2005. He said the two-hour show was a chance for him to say thank you to men and women in the military.

“With what happen to servicemen over the last week, it is an appropriate time for us to say thank you to our service men and women,” Barr said.

They joined Barr on Eubanks Field about 10 a.m. at the 34-foot jump tower as 380 Airborne soldiers looked on.

Billick was the first in the group to take the plunge, leading by example, he said.

“That was thrilling,” Billick said. “As long as there were no Steelers fans running it, I’m in good shape.”Smith said he was fortunate to get an invitation from Barr. He felt at home with many in the crowd claiming to be Falcons fans.

“We like to consider Columbus part of Atlanta and our fan base,” Smith said.

For Tillman, the visit was an opportunity to give back to the soldiers.

“It’s just in any small way to give back,” Tillman said. “That is the reason why we are here. That is the least we can do, to be able to contribute and impart a little wisdom in the context of what they are use to daily.”

Pfc. Zachary Baay, 18, of the U.S. Marines said the visit by the athletes and coaches was surprising and motivational.

“I think it is great,” said Baay, a native of Tampa, Fla. “It is motivational.”

Barr summed up the sacrifices of soldiers by recalling a visit to Iraq and his conversation with an Army general.

“I was over in Iraq one time and having breakfast with a general and said during all my visits I never heard one soldier complain,” Barr said. “Why is that? He smiled at me and said Ron they knew what they were getting in for when they signed up.”